Before Cyprus gave his parents a chance to double-team him in an argument, he threw on a jacket and left. Downtown was only a five-minute walk away, and it would give him a chance to clear his head.

Before Chelsea suggested they explore the buildings, they would both go on walks together. Which is how they both met Old Man Wiz. Cyprus shared a laugh with himself.

The first time Old Man Wiz talked to them, they had just bought ice cream.

*****

"Hey, whatcha got there?" the old guy said. Chelsea and Cyprus hadn't spoken to him before, but he owned the library, so he'd hang around outside to invite people in.

Cyprus held up his cone for the guy to see. "Just some vanilla ice cream."

"What's your favorite flavor, Mr. Wise?" Chelsea asked while licking at her own cone.

"It's 'Mr. Wiz'," he corrected. "And my favorite is probably orange creamsicle."

Chelsea's eyes lit up. "I like oranges."

"That's great, kid."